A/N: First off, I own nothing 'Once Upon a time'. This is in the real world before Belle went missing but after crap went down in the fairy tale world. Belle is Belle, and she remembers nothing of her fairy tale land. Rumplestiltskin remembers everything, but has to be careful of course. Please enjoy this, and yes its rated M for mature themes.
Hello Mr. Gold, How are You?
"Hi, how are you?" Mr. Gold furrowed his eyebrow as he stopped reading an article on stocks. The newspaper blocked his view of the whole diner. He slowly glanced over the corner to see a young girl with brown hair and red lips peering at him with her best "hello". She seemed nervous as she played with her pen in one hand. "Is there, um, something…I can get you?" She seemed eager to please. He pulled the corner of the paper back so that her view was blocked of him.
"Where's Ruby? She usually gets my order." His voice was even, yet annoyed. There was a brief awkward moment of silence.
"Um…Ruby is working another section? I'm…Belle? I can help you?"
"You don't sound very certain." He pulled the corner down to glare at her. He could see she was very uncomfortable as she was looking past him, a little upset and confused.
"Its…my first day. I'm sorry. What does she usually get you?" She said trying to save face. She stared straight at her pad biting her lip.
"It's the same every morning. You could go ask her and leave me alone, deary." He put the paper down on the booth as she smiled fakely.
"Oh…of course. I'll…just go." She turned around and breathed in deeply sensing the tension of what a nightmare the encounter was. Some customers just didn't know how to be anything but monsters. She approached Ruby at the counter and opened her mouth to explain but Ruby beat her to it.
"Oh are you serious, Belle? That's Mr. Gold. I forgot to warn you about him."
"What does he want? For breakfast?"
"Oh, god. Sit down honey. There's a whole script he makes you recite before you can even get the damn breakfast. It's like he enjoys making you look stupid." Ruby rolled her eyes as she poured another cup of coffee for a cheery looking man staring at her skirt.
"Okay?" Belle grimaced.
"Yeah, first you go up to him and say…" She grabbed Belle's arm and pulled her towards Mr. Gold, but not before shoving a pot of decaff in Belle's hand. Ruby stood in front of Mr. Gold. He didn't move the paper. Ruby rolled her eyes.
"Good morning Mr. Gold. How are you today?" Ruby said in a sickeningly sweet tone.
"Good morning, Ruby. I'm fine, thank you." The paper didn't move. Ruby touched Belle by running her shoulder into her.
"Would you like regular or decaff today, Mr. Gold?" At the sound of her question Mr. Gold finally folded the paper and smiled at Ruby, ignoring Belle. "Regular please." Ruby bent over and filled his cup then dragged Belle to the counter.
"He wants toast with butter, two eggs scrambled, and about a cup of hash browns. No more, no less. He requires a coffee refill 10 minutes in. Oh, and don't deviate from the script either. I once on Halloween asked him if he wanted 'regular or poison' and he didn't leave me a tip for a solid month. Besides that, I'm sorry new girl but he's in your section now. Enjoy that." Ruby moved off as Belle's heart visibly sunk.
She saw Ruby take care of Mr. Gold's coffee needs and he had finally left.
"I got him today but seriously- he's practically owns this town. You should be careful around him."
"What does he do?" Belle pulled her brown hair up the side of her face and pinned it back.
"He owns a pawn shop up the street. It has anything of value this town has left. You know, valuables given to him in exchange for payment…" Ruby's eyes trailed off. Belle furrowed her eyebrow.
"Does he have something of yours?" Belle inquired carefully.
"Yeah. A gold necklace. My mom gave me before she died. I gave it up for my grandmother. She got really ill last year…and we needed money for the treatments…"Ruby walked off not wanting to talk about it. She left Belle by herself holding the decaff pot.
"Um…Good morning Mr. Gold. H-how are you today?" Belle smiled not wanting to make a mistake. It seemed that Mr. Gold had a good habit of reading the paper and blocking out the rest of the world. Belle held the two pots of coffee confidently while standing in front of him waiting for him to reply. After a good 5 seconds, none came.
"Miss..Mister Gold? Good morning?" Belle said uncertainly her confidence quickly melting. She was already messing this up. Urgh. He didn't seem to acknowledge her at all as he turned a page.
"I..I'll just-"
"I would tell you that I was fine, but I don't exactly remember you telling me your name." Mr. Gold impatiently quipped.
"Oh, it's well, it's Belle." She smiled again faking it. Glancing at the counter, Ruby gave her a big thumbs up of encouragement.
"Well?...Do it again." Mr. Gold let the words roll off his tongue. "Start over."
"Start…over?" Belle half laughed at the absurdity.
Mr. Gold snarled and she was immediately sorry. She could feel his eyes burn through her and the paper. "Start. Over. Now."
She glanced at the counter again and saw Ruby give her a worried 'you-better-f'in-do-it' face.
Belle stuttered when she was nervous. It was embarrassing and it was uncontrollable. She tried to take deep breathes to control it.
"Good morning, M-mr. Gold. How are you?" She said closing her eyes as speaking as evenly as she could. She was secretly proud that she only stuttered a little. To her extreme delight he answered her back.
"Fine, Belle, thank you."
"Would you like regular or decaff?" the smile returned to her voice as this became easier.
"Decaff today." He folded the paper and his hands as he looked straight at her. Belle didn't want to meet his gaze as she filled the cup with the correct pot. As she bent over he leaned slightly in.
Oh my god…is he…smelling me?
She pulled back and smiled. "I'll be back to refill your cup later…" She said being a little cheesey and informative. He nodded and glanced at his paper dismissing her. Belle turned on her heel and walked towards Ruby who mouthed Oh-my-god.
"What? What is it?" Belle skipped towards Ruby out of earshot.
"You had better be extra careful, Belle. I really don't like the way he looks at you. Like a piece of meat. Like a piece of greasy marinated meat. Did you see him get close to you? He was like, sniffing you!" Ruby muttered in hushed earnestness.
"Shhhhesshhhh he'll hear you!" Belle took Ruby's hand. Ruby got close to Belle and breathed in deeply.
"Well in his defense you do smell good. Tomorrow smear shit on yourself so he won't act so…" Ruby made a throw up sound. "Interested."
"Come on Ruby stop fooling around!" The cook shouted from the kitchen. "Order up, Belle!"
Belle picked up Mr. Gold's plate and hesitated moving forward. She finally got her legs to move slowly towards the table. He sat there, sipping casually looking at nothing in particular. She pushed the food in front of him and he dug in without a glance or a word.
The rain was beginning to pour a little heavier. The strangeness of the rain was amplified by the heat of summer. Belle was suddenly remorseful that she had worn a white dress as she approached the shop. She needed to be quick, work was in an hour. She shivered as the rain began to soak her through dripping down her hair. There was no cover in sight except the slight curve of the porch in front of the shop window. She skipped quickly up to the spot.
"…Miss…Belle? To what do I owe the pleasure?" Mr. Gold limped up to the stair alarming Belle. She turned around sharply and saw him stare at her chest. She immediately became self-aware of how see through her dress was. Her bra was greeting him warmly. She gasped as she pulled the top from her body. His gaze met hers. "Shall we go in?"
Belle opened her eyes widely as she saw the many wonders of the little shop. It was like a collection of exotic treasure that had made its way in one room.
"It must be important to you if you are willing to walk in the rain to get here. What is it that you're looking for?"
"Do you have any…necklaces?" Belle said simply looking at a case in the distance. She sensed a sudden warmth behind her as two hands hit her shoulders.
"Over there. Most of them." He breathed quietly. Then pointed straight ahead, releasing her left shoulder. She moved away from him and shivered.
This is getting…uncomfortable. Come on Ruby which one.
In the darkness she peered past each trinket. Some of them had diamonds and jewels as big as quarters. There was a glass slipper in the case too. Then she saw it, a golden locket. It had a big R on it. It had to be.
"How much is this one? This gold locket?" Belle put her head up as though she was from old money. He laughed showing all his teeth. She felt a little foolish knowing she wasn't fooling anyone.
"That, my dear, is a very special necklace. It sells for 800 dollars. But…for you…I suppose we can strike a deal."
"A deal?"
"Sure. 400 dollars and it's yours."
"That's…not a very good deal for you, Mr. Gold." Belle looked at him skeptically as he went behind the counter and picked up the locket. He quickly removed the price tag on it.
"Let's just say…I have my reasons. Should I wrap it up for you?"
Belle shifted uncomfortably. "Well I was sort of only looking today..."
"Oh, I see." He laughed and put the necklace back. She felt even more foolish. "Should I at least put it aside for you? Maybe tomorrow?" He knew that she was too poor to purchase something so expensive. He was enjoying mocking her.
"I…um…will come back…" Belle laughed nervously. "..soon…"
"I'm sure you will. Until then it will be here for you." Mr. Gold laid the locket down and locked the case. "Is there anything else I can show you? Perhaps an umbrella?"
Belle laughed and walked backwards towards the door. "I have to go to work. Thank you for letting me see your wares…"
"Anytime Miss Belle." He nodded as she swiftly made her way out the door dreading her work day.
"You ACTUALLY walked in that place? Jeez Belle! Do you not hear what goes on in there?" Ruby set down her pot of coffee on the counter.
"Ruby? I need a refill-" a customer shouted across the restaurant.
"Come on Merv you've had 5 cups already you're just trying to look down my shirt!" Ruby dismissed him. Merv put down his hand and went back to his sandwich.
"I don't know, it wasn't creepy or anything. Just a lot of old stuff…besides I had the morning off." Belle wiped off a portion of the counter.
"Belle. This is Mr. Gold. He is not a nice man. He's killed, extorted, and I'm pretty sure has done other things in that crazy place he calls home. Don't go back there again- I'm saying this as your friend." Ruby grabbed Belle's arms and shook her a little. Belle could see the concerned look in her eyes. "Promise me. Please."
"Okay…I promise. But I only went for you. I wanted to see…see if your locket was still there. If I could get it back." Belle felt a little sheepish admitting why she was there. Ruby's face flushed of all color.
"Well…was it there?" Ruby didn't let go of Belle.
"Yeah. He wanted 400 dollars for it."
"He wanted how much?" Ruby pulled Belle to the side.
"I didn't have that kind of money. I mean I make so little and after rent I'm lucky to get 60 dollars a week…"
"That BASTARD!" Ruby cursed the ceiling. "I could only get him down to 1500 dollars. What the hell did you do to get that kind of price?"
"What?" Belle said shocked
"Yeah! He said that if it were anyone else he'd ask 2000. That he was giving me a 'discount' because it used to be mine. You can add 'liar' to that list of things he is-"
"Shhhh Ruby he's coming back in!"
Sure enough, Mr. Gold pulled on the door as the bell rattled for attention. He made his way slowly through the aisle leaning on his cane. Belle and Ruby in unison couldn't help but stare. It didn't appear that he was paying attention as he slid into his usual booth.
"Belle!" Ruby whispered breaking her glance. "You have to get that necklace. I'm sorry I'm sure I'm confusing you but- he's never- I mean- It's just so important-"
"You don't have to explain Ruby. I can be brave for you." She smiled and Ruby hugged her. Upon releasing her she had a pained expression on her face.
"Belle I'm sorry but I'm fresh out of money. I've been helping Gran all year and…well we're just above water at this point…" Ruby trailed off again.
"Don't worry, Ruby. I'll save what I can. I will get it back for you. You can owe me." She smiled.
"Excuse me-"
"Shut up Merv I'm coming you old coot!" Ruby winked at Belle.
Belle stepped out from behind the counter and observed her new customer. Mr. Gold was reading a menu.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Gold…I don't know what to ask you for lunch…" She started. Mr. Gold looked at her with a strange expression.
"How about, can I take your order?"
She reddened. She didn't want to but could feel the heat up her neck. "Of course…what would you like?"
"How about a Reuben sandwich."
"Okay." She turned around after scribbling on the pad and made her way towards the kitchen.
"You didn't ask me if I wanted a drink. Not very good at this, are we?" Mr. Gold said after her. She turned around again faking a smile.
"Had a busy day. My mind is…on other things."
"With carelessness like yours you'll never save enough pennies for your locket, Miss Belle." Mr. Gold smiled just as fake as her. Her heart sank.
"I'm…sorry?" She didn't know what else to say.
"What did you really want at my shop this morning?"
"I…don't understand." Belle furrowed her brow taking a step back.
"You come to my shop half naked by yourself soaking wet waiting for me." He got up from the booth and stood in front of her. She felt chills down her spine as his dark eyes bore into hers. She felt powerless to turn away as her notepad was plastered to her heart. The restaurant seemed to get eerily quiet. "You have no money. Nothing of value to sell…why were you there?" He whispered urgently.
"I…I just wanted…"
"Yes?" He at last broke his gaze and looked her up and down sizing her up.
"…Ruby's locket." She breathed sounding a little more desperate than she wanted.
"Is that all you want?" He probed.
"Yes!" Belle responded astonished. Just then, Ruby ran herself into Belle knocking her to the floor. French fries spilled all over Belle as Ruby profusely apologized.
"Jeez Merv! If you weren't so damn sexy I wouldn't be distracted enough to run into Belle!" Ruby said spouting desperately. Merv pushed back his hair looking particularly proud of himself.
Mr. Gold grunted annoyed as he grabbed a French fry out of jacket. Ruby helped up Belle. "I am so sorry Mr. Gold! I was just not looking where I was going at all. Here Belle I'll take you in the back to get rid of that ketchup and you can put in Mr. Gold's order-"
"There will be no need, I was on my way out." Mr. Gold gnashed his teeth and stumbled out of the way. The whole restaurant laughed and went to its jovial atmosphere again.
"Belle you looked like you were hypnotized or something. He was grossly close to you. I hope you're not mad." Ruby wiped off another French fry from Belles uniform.
"No, I'm not mad. I think he thinks I'm into him…or something."
"Ew are you serious? Dear god Merv I was only joking put your shirt back on!"
"I just sent him the wrong signals I suppose."
"Well do yourself a favor and give him the right signals. The last thing you need is Mr. Gold playing grabass with you here. Well you know, after you get the necklace."
"Thanks Ruby." Belle rolled her eyes.
"You know what I mean." Ruby sighed.
"He left in a hurry. I think…I really upset him." Belle gave Ruby a distressed face.
"Be careful." Was Ruby's only advice before she stepped away.
"Good morning, Mr. Gold. How are you today?" Belle said out loud uncertain. After the French fry accident she hadn't seen Mr. Gold for a solid week and a half.
"I'm fine." The newspaper didn't flinch, not even in the breeze.
"Would you like regular or decaff?"
"Regular."
She poured the cup of coffee. No movement. No sign of even caring. This was really a train wreck. Belle sat up and waited for a response of some kind. "I'll just go get your food then." She said out loud.
"You do that."
Ruby rolled her eyes as Belle walked towards her with the two pots. "And I was so hoping he would never come back. Wouldn't that make this place magic."
Belle grinned. "Do you still think he's mad?"
"I hope not. Teasing me about my necklace would be terrible luck. You should ask him if it's still for sale."
"What? He won't barely say two words to me!"
"Well he smelled you all doggie-like, doesn't that make you like, claimed or something?"
"Ruby. Seriously?"
"Pleasssse Belle. Just try to bring it up? Together we have 200 dollars saved. That's halfway. Just mention it to him." Ruby gave her biggest frown and let her lower lip expose.
"If I didn't love you so much you'd be screwed."
"Yayyy!" Ruby beat a couple victory fists in the air before she pushed Belle onto the floor with Mr. Gold's food. Belle sighed trying to wipe the smile off her face.
The walk to Mr. Gold's booth was longer than she remembered. She set the food down in front of his paper shield.
"I-I have…some money…" Belle started shyly. She paused. He didn't move or speak. "to buy…to buy…the…um.."
"Fascinating. Can you go away please? I'd really like to eat in peace." Mr. Gold pushed the paper down to reveal a stony annoyed expression. Belle stood awkwardly with her mouth half open. She was determined to finish.
"To buy Ruby's locket. I have 200 dollars. I was wondering…"
"It's not really Ruby's locket is it?"
"Ex…excuse me?"
"You keep saying 'Ruby's locket'. It's not her locket if it's not in her possession now is it?" Mr. Gold's eyes were full of malice as much as his words were. She broke away not wanting to look at him.
"It's…well I just wanted to let you know…"
"Let me know that you can't afford it? I pretty much assumed that, deary. No need to broadcast your poverty. You're just a stupid silly waitress."
"I…I didn't…" Her eyes started to fill with tears. She was angry at herself for not being stronger.
He pushed up the paper so that it covered his face again. "If you want the locket you have to come get it by tonight. I have another buyer. 1000 dollars."
"Please Mr. Gold I don't have that kind of money-" Belle could feel hot tears running down her face.
"I know- see you already told me. So I'm confused why you're still here." He pulled down the paper. There was no love in his face, it was as though it was contorted into a totally different man.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to bother you." Belle turned on her heel and walked towards Ruby.
Ruby wiped away Belles tears in the back room. "I'm so sorry Ruby! I didn't mean to cry. He called me stupid and silly and I just couldn't help myself."
"It's okay…I never thought I'd see that locket anyway. At least you tried. At least you were…my friend." Ruby hugged Belle and kissed her on the forehead. "Belle, maybe we can think of a plan…"
Belle sniffed as she tried to clean herself up. "Like what? He has a buyer tonight…Ruby 1000 dollars is a lot of money."
"Mr. Gold…he makes a lot of his money from…deals." Ruby didn't look at Belle as she turned around.
"Well why haven't you done one to get the necklace back sooner?" Belle asked as she touched her shoulder.
"Mr. Gold doesn't do more than one deal per person. I already owe him." Ruby half smiled. "Belle…can I ask you something? Ever since you've got here it's like you needed that necklace more than I do. Why are you trying so hard? Why are you doing this for me?"
Belle didn't say anything. She had thought the answer was so simple, as though she had always known. "I…don't know. It's like I'm compelled to do it. It's like I have to do it…I have to go to him. I just can't explain it…"
"RUBY get your LITTLE ASS over here!" The cook yelled.
"I'm COMING!" Ruby rolled her eyes annoyed. "Get cleaned up Belle. We'll think of something. Maybe we can get the name of the buyer."
Belle shook herself out of a trance. "Huh? Oh…yeah…" She wiped her face and smiled. Walking out after Ruby she glanced in the booth and saw that Mr. Gold had gone. There was no tip.
"That cheap bastard." Ruby shook her head at the empty table.
"Hey Ruby? Look…over there…tell me what you see?" Belle walked over to Merv's table. There was 800 dollars sitting on the table.
"Oh my GOD!" Ruby picked up the money. "And to think that I yelled at him all those times he stared at my tits! Jeez I hope he's not expecting more." A note fell out between the one hundred dollar bills. "Hm? That's weird. From your fairy god-father. What the hell?"
"Guess someone is really looking out for you." Belle said in disbelief.
"Do you know what this means?" Ruby said grabbing Belle and twirling her in her arms. "We can get my necklace back! Quick! Call up Mr. Gold and tell him you're coming!"
Ruby wouldn't shut up all day. The diner let Belle go early since Ruby took her shift. Belle was extra careful to put all the money in an envelope and leave it in her jacket. Before heading out towards the pawn shop Belle picked up the phone to call a scribbled number.
"Mr. Gold speaking." The voice said coldly.
"Mr. Gold? It's Belle…you know, from the diner?"
"…"
"I was phoning you to let you know that I'm coming to get the necklace. I do have 1000 dollars after all."
"…how convenient. What time will you be here? I don't like to be kept waiting."
Belle looked at the clock in the corner. "A half hour? I have to walk…"
"Did you eat?"
"Uh…I haven't?" What a strange question…
"I close my doors in 40 minutes. Don't be late."
"Thank-" the other end hung up. Belle shrugged as she put the receiver back.
Ruby hugged Belle. "Be careful. And thank you, thank you ,thank you!"
"I'll be fine." Belle waved before walking out the door.
Mr. Gold lit a couple candles. He placed a whole glazed chicken in the middle of the table. He checked himself out in the mirror smoothing back his hair. "You look good. She'll like this." He edged toward the end of his seat impatiently. He looked at the grandfather clock. It seemed to take forever for the clocks hands to go around once. 10 minutes until she would be here. He walked around the store touching things impatiently. The necklace that he had promised to her was wrapped in a heart shaped box. 5 minutes. Leaning on an antique couch he closed his eyes.
Belle felt herself shiver ferociously. It got unusually dark. The way to the pawn shop wasn't a long one, just a strange one. You had to go through a stretch of woods to get there and the path was a little worn. She had been there before so she wasn't too afraid.
"It is dark…" She said out loud looking straight into the sky's stars. Grass tussled in front of her, and whatever was in it sounded large. She stopped walking and felt her heart beating. "Who's that?" She said her eyes darting back and forth desperately looking for whatever made the noise.
"You know walking by yourself is dangerous…" A playful growl spoke lowly from the woods. Belle started shaking.
"Please…I am seeing someone and it's really important…"
"I don't care about your appointments…but I do smell some fresh money on you…money that doesn't belong to you…"
Belle ran the direction of the woods, she could see the light of the pawn shop a mile away but couldn't seem to get the lead out of her bones. She felt herself get knocked to the ground as something hard hit her head and saw with lack of a better word, stars. She let out a shriek and a desperate cry for help until whatever was chasing her got on top of her and punched her in the face. Feeling the blood from under her eye and lip, she began to black out.
Mr. Gold felt warm rays of light touch his eyes. Annoyed, he jolted himself awake. His eyes were blurry and he took his time getting his footing. He looked at the clock. "8:30am?" He looked around him. Chicken was still out, the wax from the candles had melted into the table. He felt an overbearing sense of anger engulf him. Without warning he picked up random objects from his shop and hurled it to the wall, after five minutes he picked up the heart shaped box and held it in his hands. He grabbed his coat and was out the door.
"Please, please don't tell him I'm here." Belle begged Ruby in the back room.
"Belle, you were attacked. I won't let anything else happen to you. After my shift we are going straight to the police. And please stay back here until I can get some makeup on that huge black eye of yours." Ruby pushed the hair away from Belle's face and wiped away a tear.
"I'm so sorry I lost the money-"
"Belle, once again, you were attacked. The money doesn't matter. I only care about you right now. Now stay back here I think I see him. And he looks funny, like he's in a hurry and his clothes are all wrinkled." Ruby walked out of the back room and picked up both pots of coffee.
"Good morning Mr. Gold, how-"
"Shut up, Ruby. Where's Belle?"
"She's sick. Not coming in today."
"Really? Then why is her jacket hanging up?" Mr. Gold snarled pointing at the dirty jacket.
"She's busy then. As I was saying how are you?"
"Get her out here or I need not remind you what could happen to you and dear old gran." Mr. Gold picked up his paper shaking in anger while putting it up to his face. Ruby's face went pure white as she turned around with the coffee pots.
"Belle…I'm so sorry…but he knows you're here."
"Wh-what?" Belle panicked.
"He threated to hurt my gran, Belle. If you didn't go out there." Ruby swallowed hard, handing her the pots eagerly. "Please…"
"O-okay…" Belle looked one more time in the mirror and tried to cover as much of her face with her hair. It was a terrible effort. She licked her split lip softly and walked towards the man with the paper. The pots of coffee felt like 100 pound weights. Her mouth went dry.
"G-good…good…good morning." She closed her eyes. She knew it was the only way she could do this.
"Shut up. Do you have any idea what kind of a man I am? Not only am I a very busy man, I'm a dangerous man. You have made a fool of me, you've kept me waiting, and you have awaked the monster in me. Now say it again. And say it without stuttering. Until you get it right. Treat me with the respect I have earned." He didn't glance once through the paper.
She took a deep breath trying to steady herself. "Good m-morning-"
"Wrong. Again."
"Good morning m-Mr."
"At least you're getting better at this. AGAIN."
"G-good morning-"
"Never mind, looks like we'll be here all day. AGAIN."
Belle cried, her voice got higher. "Good morning, Mr. G-gold."
"AGAIN!"
"Good…good…"
"Stupid girl! AGAIN!"
Mr. Gold threw the paper across the booth. Belle jumped although she was careful not to spill the coffee pots. He looked murderously angry at her. Suddenly he stopped, the hate draining out of him. He looked confused, then angry again. Belle didn't move, she just held the two pots as she felt tears go down her face. "Put those down." Mr. Gold gestured to the coffee his voice more urgent than angry. "Put those down please, now." She did as she was told but was careful not to look at him. She stared at the booth behind him. He got up from the booth and reached towards her.
In one quick movement he put his hand on her neck and used the other to brush away hair from her face. He tightened his jaw as he looked at the damage on her face. She felt the need to say something, anything.
"I..was…I-I was attacked?" She tried to explain but she couldn't find the words. He held her face gently as she felt him observe her and move her chin to look at everything.
"Last night?" He barely mumbled through his tightened jaw.
"Y-yes…" She breathed.
"On…the way over." He put two and two together.
She didn't say anything but let a tear drop on his hand. Without warning he let go of her and grabbed his things. She didn't do anything to stop him as he limped out the door.
"Wow that was scary. I don't think I've ever seen him so angry." Ruby blotted Belle's black eye with makeup.
"Yeah…" Belle trailed off. "He looked at my face."
"I saw. It was like he was studying you. Creepy." Ruby frowned. "Where do you think he went?
"I don't know…he didn't really say anything." Belle didn't feel like talking.
"You know you should go home." Ruby looked at Belles face convinced her powers of makeup wasn't enough.
"I can't afford to." Belle smiled sweetly.
"Belle. I-" Ruby started to speak but stopped herself. "Oh man…he came back…" Ruby looked out the side door and saw Mr. Gold go back to his booth. "He's gonna be pissed, his food is cold by now."
Belles heart sank.
"You don't have to go out there, Belle. You already did." Ruby said rubbing her arm reassuringly.
"It's okay, Ruby. He knows I'm here." Belle got up from the chair and put her best face forward, or what she could have mustered.
Mr. Gold starred at her walking the whole way over.
"Good morning-"
"You don't have to do that, not today deary." He said very gently. Belle was shocked how different he could be. It was as though he were two people. "Please sit down. I want to talk to you."
Belle sat down across from him and shifted uncomfortably in the leather booth. She stared at a fork in front of her.
"I'm not punishing you, I just want to talk to you. You can look at me."
"Oh." Belle glanced into his kind face and half smiled. "Sorry."
"I have something that belongs to you. But I want to make a deal with you." Mr. Gold grabbed a box out of his pocket and set it on the table. Belle looked at it and opened her mouth in shock as she realized it was the locket.
"I don't have any money-"
"I don't need money. Money is nothing to me." Mr. Gold interrupted her as he pushed it towards her.
"Well…what is it that you want?" Belle grabbed the box carefully and opened it. She saw the gold chain glitter in the light.
"I want to add one more thing to your morning routine." Mr. Gold rubbed the fork in front of him. "Do we have a deal?"
"What is it?" Belle brought the necklace close to her heart, making sure it was all hers.
"You will kiss me on the mouth before you get my order." He said it very easily, as though he was asking her to get him napkins. "Everyday. For every dollar you couldn't give me."
Belle felt a wave of shock go through her body. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.
"Do we have a deal?" His eyes once again pierced through hers. She nodded her head yes. "You have to say yes out loud, love. Do we have a deal?"
"Yes. I-I think I can do that."
"Then it's settled. You may begin now."
"N-now?"
"Yes. Now." Mr. Gold sat back in his booth and folded his hands patiently. Belle got up from the booth and bent over to get in close. He put a gentle hand her jaw, cradling her face. Her lips met his as he kissed her tenderly for a couple moments then let go. Belle heard Ruby gasp. Mr. Gold sat back in the booth and started to sip his coffee as Belle straightened her body to deliver his order.
A/N: Alright tell me what you think!